From Evernote:

Mind over matter

Some people ask 'how did you manage to keep going?'. That's precisely the wrong question to dwell on.

Sure, you might wonder how long you can keep pedaling, how long you can endure the heat, how long you can push through the sand before it stops you but then you're focusing on the negative things, the very things that are going to stop you.

Personally, I like to realize that it's not serious. You can stop anytime you like. Compared with rock climbing, canyoning, mountaineering, caving there are no serious repercussions if you stop.

For example, even hill walking in Scotland incurs onerous liabilities; turn an ankle and you'll need to hope that a member of your party can get out. It can be four hours walk to the nearest road before they can raise the alarm. At best, it will take a couple of hours to mobilize the rescue services then potentially another four hours for them to walk back in. Without the right gear you'll be freezing cold in an hour, hypothermic in the next. Quitting on a Scottish hill will not be more comfortable than walking four hours on a busted ankle. It may actually prove fatal.

Compare that to the Simpson cycle. Quit here and an air-conditioned 4WD will be along shortly. The car contains all of your (likely) desires; water, food, shade, cool. Sling the bike on the roof and relax.

Once you recognize how easy it is to quit, it makes it easier to keep going. You can quit at any second, but have you actually made that choice yet? No? Well, recognizing that there is a certain level of discomfort at the moment, what can you do to help yourself? A sip of water, always a good start. Some food. Good. Have a look around. Is this track you've been riding for the last half hour really the firmest? What about that beautiful clay capped line three feet to your left? Dumkopft. There we go, far better.

Suddenly, you're focused on the things that will get you through.